Here is volume two of my series! I case you are new to this, I recommend you read The Best Thing I Have first. If you are stubborn and don't want to, or you just want to remember what happened in the last volume, here is a recap:

Angel didn't leave Buffy at the end of season three. He came back at the last minute.

Angel has the ring of Amarra, so he can go out during the day and stuff like that.

Willow and Tara used a spell to bind Angel's soul, so true happiness won't cause him to lose it.

Buffy and Riley are just friends, although Riley is in love with her. He knows he can't separate her from Angel, so they're just friends.

At the end of the last story, which was the finale of season four, Angel proposed to Buffy, and she said yes. They have NOT told anyone they are engaged yet.

I think that's about it! Here is the first chapter of volume 2: Buffy vs. Dracula.

Disclaimer: I don't own Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Angel woke up. Just a little bit of sunlight shown through the blinds on the window, but he wasn't in danger for at least an hour. It was probably early morning, judging by the light. He was in Buffy's room, he had spent the night. Buffy was still asleep next to him. He rolled over and just looked at her. She was so beautiful in her sleep. And while she was fighting, and laughing, and just looking at something…always. She was always beautiful.

She opened her eyes and smiled at him. He smiled back, he couldn't help it. "Good morning." He said, running his hand through her hair.

"Morning." She replied. They kissed, and then Buffy asked, "How did you sleep?"

"Better than usual. You often have that effect on me."

She laughed. "I'm glad. Soon you'll never have to go a night without me." She kissed him again, and then continued. "I think we should tell the Scoobies today."

He looked at her, and saw she was smiling. "Really?"

"Yeah. I mean, I don't think I'm ready to tell Mom yet. Or Giles. But Willow, Xander, Riley…those guys. I think we should get together today and tell them."

Angel smiled back at her. "If you're ready. I know it's a big thing to announce."

"It is. And I'm so happy to be marrying you. It's just, some people will be less than thrilled."

"I know. But I'm ready to tell them if you are."

She kissed him again. "Today, then. Come on, we should get up."

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Buffy had called Willow and Tara, Xander and Anya, and Riley, and they were all going to lunch together at the café. Buffy and Angel would tell them that they were engaged. Buffy wasn't ready to tell her mother yet, or Giles, who was like a father to her. But she was excited to tell her friends.

They all got a table and sat down to eat. "So," Willow said "What's up, everyone?"

"I'm out of the Initiative for good." Riley said. "I'm normal now."

"That makes one of us." Buffy said.

"I'm normal." Xander argued.

"Barely. You're dating a thousand year old demon." Buffy pointed out.

"You're dating a two-hundred and forty-five year old vampire." Xander retorted.

"True."

"I'm trying to convince Xander to find his own apartment." Anya said. "He needs to get out of the basement. His parents are always walking in on us while we're-"

"Anya!" Xander interrupted, turning red.

Willow laughed, and then turned to Buffy and Angel. "Anything new with you guys?"

Buffy glances at Angel, who smiled reassuringly and squeezed her hand under the table. "Actually, there is. That's why we wanted to see you."

"What's up?" Xander asked.

Buffy took a deep breath. "Angel and I…" she reached into her pocket and slipped on her ring "are getting married." She held out her hand and showed them the ring.

Willow shrieked and jumped up. "Oh my god!"

Riley choked on his food and started coughing.

Xander just kind of sat there in shock. "Wow…"

Anya got up and hugged Buffy. "I am hugging you to say congratulations, as is customary." She said.

Tara got up too, but she surprised Angel by hugging him instead of Buffy. "Congratulations."

"When did this happen?" Riley asked, recovering from his coughing fit.

"Um…" Buffy looked slightly uncomfortable "A few months ago?"

"And you're just now telling us?" Xander said, looking outraged.

"Shame on you!" Willow cried. "Let me see the ring!"

Buffy held out her hand so Willow could see her ring. "Listen, we haven't told Giles or my mom yet, so keep this quiet, ok?"

"Sure thing." Tara said.

Buffy glanced at Xander. He looked slightly shocked, but he smiled at her. "If you're happy."

Buffy grinned back at him. "I am."

"Then I'm happy for you." He hugged her.

Riley looked uncomfortable. "I just remembered. I have to be at…a place. I'll see you guys later." He left. Buffy frowned as she watched him leave. Then she looked at her watch a gasped.

"I promised Mom I'd be home by two, and it's already one thirty! I need to go too." She stood up and looked at Angel. "See you tonight?"

"Can't wait." He kissed her goodbye.

"Wait, Buffy, I'll walk home with you!" Willow got up. Buffy grinned. She knew why Willow was coming.

As soon as they were around the corner, Willow pushed Buffy. "You're engaged, and you didn't tell me? Meany!"

Buffy laughed. "Sorry."

"This is so exciting, Buffy! I knew you and Angel would get married eventually, I knew it. We have to celebrate! We'll do something soon, something non-slaying related."

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Buffy and Angel were at the beach with Willow, Tara, Xander, and Anya. This was the celebration Willow had wanted to have in honor of Buffy and Angel's engagement. Riley had decided not to come. It was odd for Angel to be at the beach in the middle of the day; a year ago he wouldn't have dared, and would have called anyone who told him to either crazy or the First. Magic rings, however, change everything, and he was actually having a nice time.

Xander was supposed to be making hamburgers, but was having trouble getting the grill started. The rest of them were all talking and laughing.

"Having fun?" Buffy asked Angel.

"Yeah. I haven't been to the beach since…" he trailed off, thinking hard. There were giggles from the others. "Uh…actually, I can't remember that last time I was at a beach."

"Been a long time then." Buffy laughed. "Hey, Xander! Where's my burger?"

"Sorry." Xander sighed. "I'm having trouble starting a fire."

"It's not hard." Willow insisted. "Watch." She concentrated on the spot, and flames erupted in the grill.

"Wow." Buffy said, impressed. "Look at you, Wil."

"It's all about making sure you don't mess up the elements and accidently-"Willow broke off as clouds appeared and it started raining. Angel laughed as they all quickly got up and ran off. "I didn't do that!" Willow cried.

"Sure you didn't." Angel said.

"Oh, shut up, Angel." Willow retorted.

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Later, Buffy was with Angel at the mansion. They were having a much-needed make out session on the bed. When they finally pulled away, Buffy smiled. "I love you, Angel."

Angel smiled back. "And I love you too, Buffy." Buffy leaned back and rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. Angel ran his fingers through her hair gently. "You know we should probably tell them soon, right?"

"Tell who what?"

"Tell your family and Giles that we're engaged."

Buffy nodded. "I know. It's just not an easy thing to tell everyone. I mean, I love you with all my heart, but some people might be a little unhappy with the while slayer marrying a vampire thing."

"They're all your family." Angel said. "They'll understand and be happy for you."

"They're our family." Buffy corrected. "They'll be happy for us. And you're right. As always." She added, laughing slightly. Angel grinned. Buffy wrapped her arms around him. "It'll all work out. Mom will just be disappointed by the no-grandchildren thing."

Angel didn't even have a chance to reply; Buffy had pressed her lips to his again.

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Angel was walking with Willow and Xander, heading to join Buffy in patrol in the graveyard. "Guys," Willow began, "Can you keep a secret?"

Angel and Xander glanced at each other. "Yeah." They said at the same time.

"Ok, let's say I know a secret, and I can't tell you, but if I did, what would you do?"

"Uh…" Angel began, confused.

"I do know a secret." Willow burst out suddenly. "But I'm not going to tell you."

"Ok." Xander said, also looking confused.

They kept walking. A minute later, Willow said, "So say I did tell you-"

"Willow!" Angel sighed.

"Sorry."

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Willow, Xander, and Angel found Buffy in the graveyard. There was someone else with her, and he looked very vampire-ish. Angel stopped short. He recognized the vampire…this wasn't good.

Xander was staring at the vampire. "Who is this guy?"

"Xander-"Angel began warningly, but Xander ignored him.

"Nice costume." Xander said.

"Xander-"Angel began again.

"Who is this?" the vampire asked. "Leave us."

"No, we're not going to leave you. And where did you get that accent, Sesame Street?" Xander laughed. "One, two, three victims-"

"Xander!" Buffy said.

"What?" Xander asked.

"I'm pretty sure that's Dracula." Buffy said.

"No way, really?" Xander cried, stepping back behind Buffy. "I was just joking!" he called to Dracula.

"You're an idiot, Xander." Angel said, stepping forward. Dracula saw him.

"Angelus." Dracula hissed. Buffy looked at Angel incredulously.

"You know Dracula?" she cried.

"We've met." Angel said tersely.

"Uh huh…and you never once bothered to mention this?"

"It never came up."

"I'm the Slayer, and your girlfriend! You could have brought it up!"

"Is this really the time to argue?" Willow cried.

"No, sorry." Buffy said.

"I heard that you were involved with the Slayer these days, Angelus." Dracula said.

"I don't go by that name anymore." Angel growled.

"Angel, then."

"Get out of here, Dracula." Angel said. "Don't come messing with my girl or her friends."

"I will leave you. For now. But I'll return…you best beware, Angelus." With that, Dracula turned to smoke and blew away, literally.

"Wow." Xander said.

"Story?" Buffy said irritably, turning to Angel.

Angel sighed. "When we get to Giles. Come on."

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Everyone was gathered in Giles's apartment. Buffy was sitting in a chair with Angel leaning over her from behind. Xander, Anya, and Willow were sitting on the couch. Tara was sitting on the arm of the couch next to Willow. Riley was sitting on the table, and Giles was going through some books, moving around the room.

"He had heard of me!" Buffy said excitedly. Angel couldn't help but smile.

"You know, the first twenty or so times I didn't really get it," Riley said teasingly, "But now it's finally sinking in."

"Sorry." Buffy said. "It's just a big deal, you know?"

"He was really handsome." Willow said. "His eyes…"

"You thought Dracula was handsome?" Tara asked uncertainly. Willow realized what she had said.

"No! Not at all. He wasn't that handsome."

"Are you kidding?" Anya asked. "The whole dark, tall, and handsome thing!"

They all looked at her. "You know Dracula too?" Xander cried.

"Yeah. We hung out a few times, when I was a demon."

"My girlfriend used to hang out with Dracula." Xander sighed, shaking his head.

"Angel knows Dracula." Willow said.

"Oh yeah." Buffy remembered. "You promised you'd tell me how you know Dracula."

The others all looked curiously at Angel. He sighed. "There's no big story, really. Back when I was Angelus, I ran into him a few times along with Darla, Drusilla, and Spike."

"Spike knows him too?" Riley asked.

"Figures." Tara said.

"He's mostly talk." Angel said. "Actually, a lot of vampires rather dislike him, because he was the one who let our story out. All of our secrets, like the mirrors. I'm pretty sure he owes Spike money…and possibly me too, I never remember. His weaknesses are pretty much the same as any other vampire."

"But doesn't he have powers of some kind?" Buffy asked. "You saw him in the graveyard, he kept turning into smoke and stuff. How does he do that?"

"Just some basic magic tricks. Nothing really special. Still, he's cunning. We can't underestimate him." Angel told them.

Later that night

Buffy was heading home. Angel promised to meet her there later. He had to make a stop first.

Angel threw the door to Spike's crypt open. "Doesn't anybody ever knock?" Spike asked.

"No time to knock." Angel said. "We've got an old friend in town."

This got Spike's interest. "Do tell. Which old friend?"

"Dracula."

"Old Drac's back in town?" Spike looked mildly intrigued.

"Yeah. And I think he's after Buffy."

"Oh. Well that is a problem. If he made a special trip just to get to her…"

"My thoughts exactly. You've got to help me find him and protect Buffy."

Spike looked amused. "You really are in love with her, aren't you? Even asking me for help once you realize her life is on the line. That's love, Angel."

"I know." He hesitated, and then said, "We're engaged."

Spike looked up. "You and Buffy?"

"Of course me and Buffy, who else would I be talking about?"

"Well…good for you."

"But it's a secret."

"Who would I tell? I'm not exactly on good terms with…anyone, actually."

"Are you going to help me fight Dracula or not?"

"Fine. But tomorrow night, ok? I've got stuff to do tonight."

"What could you possibly…oh never mind. See you tomorrow." Angel turned and left as quickly as he had come.

He walked to the Summers's house. Maybe he would spend the night with Buffy again…he was hesitant about leaving her alone for too long, with Dracula prowling around. Plus he loved having Buffy next to him while he was asleep. He loved having Buffy next to him anytime, actually.

It was pretty late; she would probably be asleep already. Maybe he'd just slip into bed next to her. He reached the house, and was walking up the lawn when he noticed something. Smoke was drifting up and into Buffy's bedroom window. He had never seen ordinary smoke make a sharp turn before…

"Buffy!" Angel yelled, and he ran through the yard and burst through the front door with a loud bang. He raced up the stairs, down the hall, past Joyce who had run out of her room after hearing all the noise, and opened Buffy's door, throwing himself inside.

Dracula was standing by Buffy's bed, where Buffy was staring at him, transfixed. When the door opened, however, she snapped out of her trance. Angel tackled Dracula to the ground, taking him so off guard that he didn't even turn to smoke until after a couple of good punches. "Leave her alone!" Angel yelled as Dracula floated out the window. He turned to Buffy, who had gotten out of bed, and pulled her into his arms. "Did he hurt you?"

"No…but I think he was going to…"

"What is going on?" Joyce was standing in the doorway, staring at them with wide eyes. "Was there a vampire?"

"Yeah." Buffy said. "But Angel scared him away…for now…" she looked at Angel. "How did he get in? Surely even he needs an invitation to come inside."

"Yeah, he does." Angel looked thoughtful, and then looked at Joyce. "Joyce, did you possibly invite a very handsome young man into the house earlier today?"

Joyce looked uncomfortable. "Well…"

"Mother!" Buffy cried, appalled.

"That's a specialty of his." Angel said. "Charm someone into inviting him in."

"I didn't know he was a vampire." Joyce said. "Who is he, anyway?"

Buffy and Angel were silent for a moment. Finally, Buffy said in a small voice, "Count Dracula."

"Count Dracula?" Joyce yelled. "Oh god…I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. You're not the first one to fall for that trick." Angel said kindly. "He's been doing that for centuries."

"I think I need to lie down." Joyce said faintly. "See you both in the morning." She walked away.

"Wow." Buffy said. "She is in shock. She didn't even do her little routine of asking if you were spending the night in that really disapproving way."

Angel smiled. "I don't blame her."

"Are you spending the night?"

"After this fiasco? I may never let you sleep alone again."

"I'm not complaining."

Angel smiled and kissed her, and closed her bedroom door.

The next morning

Buffy and Angel told everyone else about Dracula's visit the night before.

"He was in your room?" Willow asked with wide eyes.

Riley looked furious. "He deserves to be dust."

"I can't believe I'm saying this," Angel said, "But I agree with you."

"How do we do it, though?" Tara asked. "I mean, I'm sure people have tried to kill him before, and obviously were unsuccessful. He must have a ton of tricks up his sleeves."

"Of course he does." Anya said. "He's Dracula."

Xander hadn't said anything. He was acting weird. "Nothing can defeat the Dark Master." He said. Everyone stopped and stared at him. "Uh…I mean…"

"Never mind." Angel dismissed. "I don't think Buffy should be left alone at night until we at least drive him out of town."

"I agree with Angel." Giles said.

"We should also try to find his hideout. Dracula likes to live in style, so we can rule out sewers, caves…most of the typical stuff, actually." Angel said, thinking about it. He looked Buffy.

"Your call." She said. "You're the expert in this case."

Angel nodded, thinking. "Willow, Tara, can Buffy hang with you guys tonight?"

"Sure thing." Willow said, and Tara nodded.

"Good. So Buffy can go with you guys. Meanwhile…we need to search for Dracula. I want Giles, Riley, and I think I'll bring Spike. We'll go looking for his hideout."

"What should Xander and I do?" Anya asked.

"Nothing."

"Aw."

That night

Tara walked in and was met by Willow. "Hi baby." Willow said, and kissed her.

"Hi." Tara giggled. "Is Buffy here?"

Willow frowned. "No…she called and said you two had decided to meet up and then come here."

"We never made any plans like that." Tara said. Both girls looked at each other, horror dawning on their faces as they realized what had happened.

"Oh no." Tara groaned, and grabbed the phone. She dialed Buffy's number. "Hi Joyce, it's Tara. I'm good, is Buffy there? Ok…ok, thanks, bye." She put the phone down and shook her head. "Buffy's not home."

Willow smacked herself in the forehead. "Angel is going to kill us."

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Angel, Spike (whom Angel had dragged along), Riley, and Giles were patrolling around town, looking for Dracula's hideout. As luck would have it, they came across a large castle on the outskirts of town. "Perfect." Angel and Spike said at the same time.

They started heading towards it. "You know," Angel said, "I've lived in Sunnydale for a while now. You know what I've never noticed?"

"A huge, un-hidden bloody castle?" Spike guessed.

"Exactly."

Once inside, they split up. Angel walked cautiously down one hallway. He turned the corner, and ran right into Riley, literally.

"Ouch." Riley muttered. "Any luck?"

"No." he tried to walk past the boy he disliked so much, but then he stopped. "Do you hear something?"

"Yeah…" Riley began, and suddenly Xander, of all people, burst into the room.

"If you want to get to the dark master, then you'll have to get by me first." He said. Angel and Riley looked at each other, shrugged, and both punched him in the face, knocking him out.

"No problem." Angel said smoothly. He nodded to Riley, and they split up again.

"Angel!" Spike's voice called a few minutes later. Angel turned to see Spike, dragging Giles along with him. "Dracula is definitely here. I found his little girlfriends trying to play the Watcher."

Angel suppressed the urge to laugh at the look on Giles's face. "Well at least we know we're in the right place. We should-"he was cut off by loud noises somewhere nearby. "Buffy." He said, and took off running, Spike right behind him, still pulling Giles.

They found Riley running for the same noises. "This way!" Angel yelled. "I'm getting Buffy's scent, this way!"

They burst into a large room, just in time to see Buffy dust Dracula. "Buffy Anne Summers!" Angel yelled, running straight at her and pulling her into his arms. "I told you to stay with Willow and Tara!"

"Sorry Angel." Buffy said. "But I took care of him…what did you do to Giles?"

"What? Oh, that, uh-"

Suddenly Xander burst into the room. "Where is he? Where is the creep who turned me into a spider-eating man bitch?"

"Gone." Buffy said, shrugging.

"Oh man! You know what? I'm sick of this crap! I'm tired of always being the guys who eats bugs and gets the funny syphilis! As of this moment, it's over. I'm sick of being everybody's butt-monkey!" Xander yelled. The others all stared at him.

"Right." Buffy said finally. "No more butt-monkey."

"Let's go." Angel said. He kissed Buffy. "You sure you're ok?"

"I'm fine Angel. Let's go home."

The next morning

Buffy woke up in Angel's arms, at the mansion. She rolled over and found him watching her, smiling playfully. "Hey sleepy head." He said.

"Good morning." She mumbled. She kissed him passionately for a minute, before slipping out of bed under his arm.

"Hey." He said indignantly.

"Sorry. I'd love to stick around, but Giles wants to see me soon. Says he has to tell me something." She said while digging around in the drawer for some clothes.

Angel sighed, and then also got up. "I suppose I'll have to let you go then."

"While I'm there…" Buffy hesitated, and looked at him. "I'm going to ask him to be my Watcher again."

Angel returned her look, and then nodded. "I think that's a good idea. What about the other thing. Are you ready to tell him about that?"

Buffy didn't answer at first. She looked at her engagement ring sitting on the table. Giles was like her father…he'd be happy for her…wouldn't he? "No." she whispered. She turned back to Angel. "I'm sorry, it's not that I'm having second thoughts or anything, I love you and I really want to get married but I'm just worried about-"

"Buffy." Angel interrupted, and she fell silent. "I understand. I'm not in any hurry; you can tell him and your mom when you're ready. I won't be mad." He pulled her in for a kiss. "Ok?"

Buffy smiled. "Ok." She kissed him.

"We'll do something later today, just you and me." Angel promised. "Sound good?"

"Wonderful. I should really get ready now." She pulled away and headed for the bathroom.

Later that afternoon…

Buffy was very happy. She had talked with Giles, and he was her Watcher again. She and Angel were going out in a couple of minutes, just them.

"Ready?" Angel asked. They were standing in the living room of her house.

"In a minute, let me grab something." Buffy hurried upstairs. "Mom, Angel and I are going to the movies!"

"Ok honey!" Joyce called back.

Buffy walked into her room and stopped short when she saw the brown haired girl looking through the stuff on her desk. "What are you doing in here?" she asked, annoyed.

"Buffy!" Joyce called. "If you're going out, why don't you take your sister?"

"Mom!" Buffy and Dawn both cried together.

I love that episode. So anyway, I'm hoping to do the same thing with this story as I did with the last one and post a chapter per day. I can't promise it will actually happen every day, because of school and stuff, but I'm definitely going to try. Please review!